Dragon Tales by Phyllis Parker
Abreast A River Team Member

When the public hear about breast cancer today it is often about new research, new treatments, new initiatives to combat it. Much of what is being done today has made a vast difference in how breast cancer is viewed and how it is being treated. When Women Alike began their dragon boat program in 1999 breast cancer was not a subject openly discussed. Today most cancers are talked about and many people are involved in the fight to help find a cure.

Each year the Canadian Cancer Society organizes a relay to raise funds and awareness in many communities. The 2011 Pictou County Relay for Life will be held June 3rd at 7.00pm at the S.W. Weeks Track in Parkdale. Do think about attending.

Women Alike have participated in six relays here in the county. We did miss attending when we were involved in other projects......most notably attending dragon boat festivals.There is always a sense of camaraderie among team members even in the face of such a difficult disease. People speak of being inspired and strengthened by participating or attending.

One very poignant part of the Relay For Life is the lighting of the Luminaries. These are tiny paper bags in which a small tea light is placed and lit at dusk. Each luminary made by a cancer patient, survivor or supporter is in memory of someone who has passed away as the result of cancer or is currently fighting cancer. As the relay site lights up it means a great deal to those attending. It is a signal of ongoing life and hope.

At Women Alike's May meeting Sherry Stewart, who is Luminary Chair for the event, spoke to the group. Luminaries were decorated at the meeting. Since the Women Alike support group began in 1996, 31 members have been lost. Since the dragon boat began in 1999 we have lost more than 10 members. These many seem like incredible numbers but that is the reality of breast cancer.

In spite of the fact that it is still a dificult disease, advances are being made. Mortality rate has fallen by 30% since 1986. This is due mainly to more public awareness, improvements in screening and advances in treatment.

These things are all being made possible by the involvement of the public as it becomes aware of, talks about and financially supports so many of the initiatives that will help find a cure. Public awareness about cancer has made a vast difference in all levels of cancer care and treatment. Public awareness was one of our main concerns as we started our dragon boat program. It was one of the reasons we first began to write Dragon Tales.

We were told at the International Dragon Boat festival in Peterborough, Ontario last June "We knew you all were coming, but we had NO idea of how many that meant!". We replied " we are just the ones who paddle dragon boats, there are many more patients and survivors. THAT was an "awareness moment"!

This June (7th-11th) the 6th World Conference On Breast Cancer takes place in Ontario at the Hamilton Convention Center. This conference brings together survivors, scientists, medical professionals, researchers, suppliers, governments and more. The intention of the conference is to reach people who can make a difference when they go back to their communities armed with much information. We are pleased that two of "our girls" will be attending.

The Atlantic Chapter of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is sponsoring a large number of Atlantic Canadian women with flight and room cost assistance for this event. They will certainly bring back many good ideas for our communities.

In other news.......

Our dragon boat is back in the water and the team is getting in shape for our first competition in Moncton May 27th and 28th.

Any breast cancer survivor who thinks dragon boating might be interesting to try can call the Cancer Patient Navigator's Office at 752-7600 ext. 4922

For further information on cancer call the Canadian Cancer Society Information Line at 1-888-939-3333